SOUTH Petherton is a village on the River Parrett five miles east of Ilminster and five miles north-west of Crewkerne.

Visit South Somerset suggests that its name “may come from the Old English word Pared meaning boundary and the Saxon word ton meaning settlement, forming ’Paredton’.”

Visit Somerset said the village “has a quiet, unhurried charm with a variety of cafes, including Provender, with its deli counter, shops and an inn” and here are five more reasons to love it.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church


The Grade I listed church has an octagonal central tower with twelve bells and its construction dates back from the 13th to 15th centuries.

 

David Hall Arts Centre


The David Hall Arts Centre is South Somerset's premier rural performing arts venue, renowned for its music, theatre and film programme, Visit Somerset explains.


Dennis Chinaworks


Not far from South Petherton, in Shepton Beauchamp, is Dennis Chinaworks.

The manufacturer was founded in 1993 and is based in converted stables that once were part of a Victorian Gothic rectory.


East Lambrook Manor Gardens


Visit Somerset describes the garden as a “quintessential English cottage garden created by the celebrated 20th-century plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish and made famous through her many books.

“It is a unique garden of great beauty and charm with noted collections of snowdrops, hellebores and geraniums and an excellent specialist plant nursery, café and gallery.”


The Blake Hall


As explained on the parish council’s website, “the Blake Hall is a registered charity managed by the William Blake Memorial Hall Management Committee, which comprises of two representatives from the parish council, representatives from the WI and the Art Group together with various parishioners.

“The Hall is in the centre of the village with main hall on the first floor. The parish council are custodian trustees of the building.”